Hello.

[Acidic]

Hello.
So, after browsing this forum for a short while I've seen a few things that.. well, I'm short for words. I honestly don't know what to think about this forum, are you people for real? I mean.. some of the stuff I've read.. It makes me think you're just a bunch of trolls trying to mess with atheists, like Pediabear. Seriously? Sigh. Either way, I'm not here to troll or flame.

So it seems that anybody who hasn't posted an introduction thread are seemingly ignored and redirected so that they make one. I don't quite understand the importance of an introduction thread, but yet, here I am; And so, a little bit about myself:
I am male, eighteen years of age and I live in the United Kingdom. I was raised as a Christian, so to speak, in that my grandparents took me to church every Sunday since I was born. Being such a young age, I didn't really take much from the whole experience and when I was around eleven I stopped going to Church. I'm sure by your standards that's enough to buy me a one way ticket to hell. But by no means am I an atheist. I consider myself agnostic (although I imagine to you that's the same thing). I rather like it this way though, to be honest, as it makes it easier to see both sides of every argument.
I can't say I've ever sat down and read the bible, however, recently I have been meaning to in order to simply understand a little more about the religion. I don't really have a favourite verse from the bible, although I really do like the poem 'Footprints in the Sand' .

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

I don't really know why, it's just something that's always stuck with me. I read it a long time ago, and it really made me feel better.

I joined this forum because, well, I've really been looking to learn about Christianity and the bible as of late and this seems like one way to go..

Anyway, I won't ramble further. This was just my introductory thread. I just hope I don't say anything that will offend, or rather, anything that will get me banned too quickly.

[landoverlover]

Re: Hello.

Welcome, friend. Are we for real? Indeed we are. The True Christians of Landover follow God's word to the letter. We want an introduction for a couple of reasons. First, we need to make sure you are not a demonic troll out to mock God. Most of them won't make the effort of an honest introduction. Second, we need to assess the state of your soul, so that we can best direct our advice to you on saving it.

There's still much hope for you. Start reading the Bible, cover to cover. Accept Jesus into your heart. Do what the Bible says, exactly.

Now, what about this sounds like a "troll"? Seems pretty reasonable to me.

[Levi Jones]

Re: Hello.

Hello.
So, after browsing this forum for a short while I've seen a few things that.. well, I'm short for words. I honestly don't know what to think about this forum, are you people for real?

Son, we are as real as the flames of hell.

I mean.. some of the stuff I've read.. It makes me think you're just a bunch of trolls trying to mess with atheists.

You couldn't be further from the truth.

by no means am I an atheist. I consider myself agnostic (although I imagine to you that's the same thing).

To me it's probably worse. At least atheists are open about their spitting in God's face. Agnostics are namby pampy fence sitters.

Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

[Acidic]

Re: Hello.

So, because I'm quite honestly unsure of my beliefs, that means I'm spitting in God's face. But not only that, I'm doing it from the safety of a fence, where, according to my thinking, I can simply drop off into his good graces whenever I decide.
Is that what you're saying?
Sounds like I'm going to hell for sure, right?

[Sister Charli]

Re: Hello.

It makes me think you're just a bunch of trolls trying to mess with atheists, like Pediabear. Seriously? Sigh.

So you think we would waste our time baiting atheists?

Are you for real? This forum is here to praise Jesus.

It is atheist scum who come here to bait us, not the other way round.

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: Hello.

So, because I'm quite honestly unsure of my beliefs, that means I'm spitting in God's face. But not only that, I'm doing it from the safety of a fence, where, according to my thinking, I can simply drop off into his good graces whenever I decide.
Is that what you're saying?
Sounds like I'm going to hell for sure, right?

What Church do you attend? Haven't you ever read the Holy Bible?

Matthew 12:30:
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

[Levi Jones]

Re: Hello.

I can simply drop off into his good graces whenever I decide.

Unless you get hit by a bus tomorrow.

Sounds like I'm going to hell for sure, right?

I'm afraid so. It's not to late to turn and get to go to Heaven with us.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

[Acidic]

Re: Hello.

What Church do you attend? Haven't you ever read the Holy Bible?

I don't attend church anymore, however I attended several over the years that I did. The names of which are irrelevant at this point.
Honestly no. I've never sat down and read the Bible. I've read bits of it, heard verses etcetera etcetera but as stated in my original post, I never really took a whole lot from my time at church as I was young and honestly wasn't as interested as I now wish I had been.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Seems like an awful fate for somebody who simply is unsure. Do you honestly believe that that is fair judgement, even if I lived my life as an honest man, doing well unto others and all that jazz. To burn in the inferno for an eternity for not believing that there is an almighty creator.

[landoverlover]

Re: Hello.

Seems like an awful fate for somebody who simply is unsure. Do you honestly believe that that is fair judgement, even if I lived my life as an honest man, doing well unto others and all that jazz. To burn in the inferno for an eternity for not believing that there is an almighty creator.


Son, this one's been settled for more than 2000 years. You can be NICE and GENEROUS and KIND and kiss babies all day long, give to the poor, love your neighbor, help a cripple....but if you have not accepted Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior, you are doomed to hell. As Pastor Levi said, you could get hit by a bus and die this night. Is that the way you want to leave this earth? Screaming in flames for eternity?

[Acidic]

Re: Hello.

Son, this one's been settled for more than 2000 years. You can be NICE and GENEROUS and KIND and kiss babies all day long, give to the poor, love your neighbor, help a cripple....but if you have not accepted Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior, you are doomed to hell. As Pastor Levi said, you could get hit by a bus and die this night. Is that the way you want to leave this earth? Screaming in flames for eternity?

I understand this, I just simply can't get my head around the idea that followers of this religion can find this a just action. Of course, again, I completely understand that you are in no position to question your lord's judgement, but some part of you must feel that it is a little unfair.

I don't want to start a whole "debate" over this, at the risk of being warned or potentially banned, so I'll leave it there. However, if you wanted to respond to this, please do, as the reason I'm here is to gain a better insight into everybody's personal beliefs and thoughts.
I'd like to thank you for your civil response however and I hope to be able to enter some discussions with you in the future.

[Lisa H]

Re: Hello.

Seems like an awful fate for somebody who simply is unsure. Do you honestly believe that that is fair judgement, even if I lived my life as an honest man, doing well unto others and all that jazz. To burn in the inferno for an eternity for not believing that there is an almighty creator.

You should start following the Lord ASAP, otherwise you will end up in hell. Unless you want to suffer eternal torments.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

[Brother Snapper Grogan]

Re: Hello.

I understand this, I just simply can't get my head around the idea that followers of this religion can find this a just action. Of course, again, I completely understand that you are in no position to question your lord's judgement, but some part of you must feel that it is a little unfair.

It may help if you think of it like this...

Imagine that you design a game. As the designer, you make the rules; you decide how the game is to be played - how to win and how to lose. You write a comprehensive User Manual that tells the players precisely how you designed the game, precisely how it has to be played and precisely what happens if you break the rules.

Would you ever think to question whether the rules are "just" or not? Would you question whether the game designer's judgement was at fault? Of course not. You're in the game; you have two options: win or lose.

Now I know that's simplistic, but sometimes it helps to understand if you simplify.

God put us here. He wrote the rule book - but much more than that: He came into the game and got Himself temporarily killed in order to give us a shortcut to the end. All we have to do is bathe in His blood.

When the game ends, it'll be no good saying "whoops - sorry Jesus - I forgot to read the rule book". You lose. Even heathen law recognises that ignorance is no defense.

Get down on your knees, son. Ask His forgiveness, accept Him as your Personal Saviour(tm) and be baptised. We'd love to see you walk through the winners' door with us at the end.

[Acidic]

Re: Hello.

Would you ever think to question whether the rules are "just" or not? Would you question whether the game designer's judgement was at fault? Of course not. You're in the game; you have two options: win or lose.


When the game ends, it'll be no good saying "whoops - sorry Jesus - I forgot to read the rule book". You lose.

It's more like saying:
Yes. I understand the rules, although I don't agree with them. I'll follow them anyway, but only because I don't want to lose.
And then losing anyway, simply because you didn't fully agree with those rules.

Anyway, I thank you for your response because it has helped me to see where your line of thought comes from.
Obviously this discussion won't progress any further because unlike yourselves I don't take every word of the bible literally, which brings about conflicting opinions which won't be changed no matter what.
Once again, Thank you.

[Brother Snapper Grogan]

Re: Hello.

I don't take every word of the bible literally

Well, that's why God gave us free will - so that we could choose to believe in His Immutable Word or burn in Hell.

Once again, Thank you.

You're welcome.